Naga Prok attitude (Thai: ปางนาคปรก; RTGS: pang nak prok), translated as "sheltered-by-the-naga Buddha",[1] is an attitude of Buddha in Burmese, Khmer, Lao and Thai art in which the Buddha, seated in either the meditation or maravijaya attitude, is sheltered by or covered with a multi-headed nāga. The nāga, whose name is Mucalinda, usually has seven or nine heads and appeared to coil the base of the Buddha statue.
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The attitude references an episode in the Buddha's life after reaching the enlightenment. He travelled to various kingdoms to teach and spent the rest of his time meditating. One night, a heavy storm raged in the forest where he was meditating. A nāga by the name of Mucalinda (มุจลินท์, Mujalind) saw him meditating under harsh weather. Mucalinda decided to coil around his āsana (seat) and use himself as a shield to protect the Buddha from raindrops.[2]
The attitude was pioneered in early Khmer art.
Gallery
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11th century Khmer statue at Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, Ayutthaya province
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12th century Khmer bronze Naga-enthroned Buddha from Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia
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At Sukhothai Historical Park, the statue emphasises the naga's coils.
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At Wat Bang Reang, Phang Nga province
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At Wat Simuong, Vientiane
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The Nagayon Buddha in Monywa, Myanmar
References
edit- ^ "Info" (PDF). www.finearts.go.th.
- ^ Thanissaro, Bhikkhu. "Muccalinda Sutta: About Muccalinda".
- translated from th:ปางนาคปรก on Thai Wikipedia